Nullifying Federal Law To Grow Hemp

Nullification is alive and well in Maine. A grower there recently decided to ignore the federal prohibition on growing hemp and they've decided to become the grower of the state's first hemp crop. The hemp farmer, Steven Zeno, planted at least an acre of hemp last month and he says that he obtained the seed from a food bank in Colorado.

It's alleged that only two growing permits have been issued in Maine, even though the crop remains federally prohibited.

Zeno founded the Maine Hemp Association and he has also launched a crowdfunding campaign that he hopes will raise enough funds to enable him to harvest and process the hemp that he planted. Zeno says that he hopes the hemp market flourishes in the area, to eventually producing plastic, fuel pellets, oil, and protein, for the masses.

Maine's Governor has illustrated support in the past for authorizing hemp farming in the state, but federal laws still prohibit market success in that area. Other farmers might soon take the plunge as well and get into the market and that is how nullification can quickly spread and thus render prohibition laws obsolete.

Some reports have suggested that the market for hemp in the United States is around at least $600 million per year. And there are thousands of uses for industrial hemp that have been suggested. This plant can be used for a wide variety of products ranging from food and cosmetics to plastics and bio-fuel. It really is an amazing plant that could revolutionize the market, if the federal government would just get out of the way of innovation and progress.

At least 5 states so far have registered or licensed farmers to be able to grow hemp under state law and they are Tennessee, Vermont, Colorado, Kentucky, and Oregon.

See
http://www.pressherald.com/2016/07/11/development-of-hemp-as-cash-crop-in-maine-starts-slowly/